Joe Theobald, aka DJ Captain Wormhole, Looks at all things vinyl 

DIGGING is what record collectors call spending hours flicking through dusty records in basements, bargain bins, boot sales, lofts and charity shops.

Basically, you spend ages sifting through Chopin, Como, Mathis and Big War Movie Themes and end up buying your fifth copy of Street Life so the day doesn’t feel like a complete write-off.

I don’t do it often because I end up with a bad back and it’s a bit boring and I never find much. But on Saturday, I decided it was high time I gave the dice another roll.

I stopped in to see Leights in the Tented Market first. He’s just moved in to Blood on the Tracks’ old unit as they’ve moved in to warmer climes in the Brunel Plaza. There were plenty of bargains, including a £1 bin full of old compilations which would be good if you’re just starting out a collection, I suppose — but not for me.

I got stuck in to the ‘two for a fiver’ section and pulled out the 3D EP by XTC and a Jean Michel Jarre remix 12in. Leights did me both for £4.

Next up I hit the chazzers, starting with the big one on Havelock Square — lots to flick through but mainly Streisand et al. They do have a copy of Bridges by John Williams which has one really good break but I’ve already got it.

No luck on Havelock Street or Helen & Douglas so I ducked in the Savoy for a few Belgians (they’ve got Chimay and La Chouffe!).

Perseverance did pay off at the Prospect shop on Commercial Road with a (shock) Crusaders 12 (not Street Life, though). That place is undeniably the best of Swindon’s charity shops for vinyl — a wide selection, they filter out the rubbish, categorise and change stock regularly, and on that basis you don’t begrudge paying slightly more than other chazzers, and they price fairly.

Sue Ryder in the Brunel was the final call. Two copies of Love Over Gold by Dire Straits... £15.... Each.

Right, firstly this is a £2 record. Secondly, nobody wants it. Thirdly, the two copies are in differing condition so should be priced accordingly (it’s called grading). Fourthly, aren’t charity shops supposed to be cheap so people without much money can still buy records and books and stuff? And fifthly, nobody wants it.

Sort it out, Sue Ryder in the Brunel!

Next week: Dale’s Facebook show